Under general anesthesia, intubation is:

• A. Possible
• B. Impossible
• C. Not required
• D. Never used

Answer: (A)

Securing the airway is a central part of anesthesia because unconsciousness removes protective reflexes, so controlled ventilation and protection from aspiration are needed. The most reliable way to achieve this is endotracheal intubation, which places a tube into the trachea and allows connections to a ventilator. While there are situations where a mask or a supraglottic device may be used or where regional anesthesia with sedation suffices and intubation isn’t required, intubation is certainly possible and commonly performed during general anesthesia.